Jake thrives on Dons role

Jake Reeves believes he is at the right club to develop as a midfielder after getting to grips with League 2 football since re-signing for Wimbledon in January.

At the age of just 21, Reeves (pictured) already has experience of playing at a higher level with Brentford and Swindon, but he admits that playing back in League 2 is a different kind of test for him.

Reeves, who had a brief loan spell with Wimbledon in 2012/13, believes the Dons are moving in the right direction with young players starting to come through the ranks.

During an interview for Dons Player ahead of the League 2 match at Tranmere, Reeves said: “I know that League 2 is a bit different and I like to play a passing style. There are styles that you cannot play all the time though because other teams don’t allow you to. The manager is doing well and with a couple of tweaks I think we can go up in the future.

“I recognised a few of the young boys when I came back from the time that I was here previously. Now they are getting their opportunities by training with the first-team and getting on in games. Tom Beere is getting his chance now and it can only be good for the club that we have our own youngsters coming through.

“My overall game is pretty similar to when I was here last time, but I have got better. Playing in every game has helped me to learn about League 2 football. I am learning what needs to be done to do well in League 2 and I feel that I am getting better.

“Dannie Bulman has been there and done it at the age of 36 and he helps you a lot with his experience. Sammy has come in lately and he plays more of a holding role to protect the back four. He has been brilliant since he came back into the team and playing with either of them is good.”

Reeves added that Wimbledon’s squad are fully aware of what they are likely to face against a Tranmere side fighting relegation tomorrow, but he says the Dons must concentrate on their own strengths.

“The coaching staff have prepared us well and we have talked about what we need to do to stop them. It’s good to be aware of how the other team play and the sort of player you will face, but we need to play our own game too. If we all do our jobs then we should come out on top anyway.

“We know what Tranmere are going to be like because they are scrapping for their lives. They are going to come out flying, but we need to play our own game.

“Other teams around us have been slipping up and if we can pick-up points from Saturday and the games over Easter weekend then you never know where that will put us.”

The full interview with Jake Reeves appeared on Dons Player earlier today and an in-depth update from Neil Cox ahead of Tranmere also features on our premium channel.